By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
You don’t have to head to LaughFest this weekend to get a few good laughs. The Wyoming Theater Company presents “Still No Need for Improv-ment?” Thursday – Saturday, March 16 – 18, a Dan Heintzleman Auditorium, located in the Wyoming Junior High School, 2125 Wrenwood Blvd.
The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Wyoming Theater Company, which for more than 20 years has provided students in seventh through 12th grade an opportunity to participate in theater productions. The program is one of the largest extracurricular student group in Wyoming High School and has involved more than a 100 students every year in all areas of the arts including acting, dance, voice, graphic design, costume, makeup, lighting design and more.
Ansleigh Hamilton, who portrayed Morticia in the company’s fall production of “The Addams Family,” said she has been performing with the company since seventh grade and has loved every moment. Matt Bulthuis, a senior this year and who played Lucas in “The Addams Family,” said being a part of Wyoming Theater Company has been an important aspect to his high school career.
“The Wyoming Theater Company is very excited to bring you four awesome and unique IMPROV events this March,” according to director Jeremy Schnotala. The troupe of improv actors (7th-12th grade) have been working since December to prepare for these outlandish, fun evenings of original IMPROV comedy, he said.
“We will have you laughing all night as our troupe of twelve make up scenes on the spot from audience suggestions,” Schnotala said. “Each evening is made up of over a dozen different improv activities or games– ALL completely unique, fresh, and improvised right before your eyes!”
The first three events are special engagements–food, beverages, and entertainment included. The final evening show on Saturday, March 18, is general admission. Tickets to the three special engagements are $15 each (staff event passes not accepted for these events) and have limited seating as there is a “behind the scenes” cafe-style performance space, replete with mood lighting, comfortable lounge seating, cafe tables and more. Each event will also have three special drawings for prize packages worth anywhere from $75 to $200. See information below for details:
Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m.: COFFEE HOUSE IMPROV–tickets are $15 to this special engagement. It will be two hours of entertainment, specialty coffees, various desserts, and salty snacks.
FRIDAY, March 17 at 7 p.m.: DINNER THEATER IMPROV–tickets are $15 to this special engagement. It will be two hours of entertainment, dinner, beverages, snacks, and dessert.
SATURDAY morning, March 18 at 11 a.m.: PAJAMA PERFORMANCE–tiickets are $15 to this special engagement. It will include two hours of entertainment, breakfast and beverages. Coming in your pajamas is optional.
SATURDAY evening, March 18 at 7 p.m.: GENERAL ADMISSION IMPROV SHOW–tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, 18 and under. Seating will be general admission. The show will last approximately two hours.
Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 616-530-7590, ext. 2367 or at the door of the Dan Heintzlman Auditorium. For more information about the show or the Wyoming Theater Company, visit www.wyomingtheatercompany.com.
